Keychron K4 Pro vs Q5Wireless vs Full Metal 96%
The decision comes down to whether you need wireless convenience and lighter weight (K4 Pro) or a heavier, more premium all-aluminum build and a knob (Q5).
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4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$69at Keychron
4.8 (17)4.8 · 17 reviews
from$119at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 Pro
Wireless
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connection for up to 3 devices simultaneously.
- Large 4000mAh battery supporting long wireless sessions.
- Significantly lighter weight (1280g) enhances portability.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Keychron Q5
Full Metal 96%
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum case offers a premium, rigid feel.
- Double gasket design reduces metal resonance and improves typing acoustics.
- Includes a programmable rotary encoder knob for custom shortcuts.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the Keychron K4 Pro if you need wireless multitasking and plan to move your keyboard between devices or locations. Pick the Keychron Q5 if you value a solid aluminum desk anchor with a double gasket feel and a programmable knob. For most users who want the best of both worlds, the Q5 wins on long-term build quality, but the K4 Pro wins on daily convenience.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Keychron K4 Pro
Keychron Q5
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Aluminum
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
1,280 g
2,310 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Keychron Q5
- Performance
- 8172
- Build quality
- 8489
- Productivity
- 9597
- Customizability
- 9698
- Portability
- 5446
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming and travel, the K4 Pro wins due to wireless freedom and a lighter weight. The Q5 takes the lead in office and content creation use cases thanks to its aluminum build and programmable knob. Programming is a tie because both offer identical firmware and remapping capabilities. Modders will favor the Q5 for its more complex gasket structure and knob customization. Overall, the Q5 appeals to desktop-oriented users who prioritize build quality, while the K4 Pro suits those who need mobility.
Pick the Keychron K4 Pro
- Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connectivity allows a cleaner desk setup without cable drag.
- Lighter weight (1280g) makes it easier to reposition during gaming sessions.
- 1000 Hz polling rate matches the Q5 for wired responsiveness.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 Pro
7 owner reviews
“I previously had a normal K4 and i love the new one, the only thing is that the stabilizers lube work is kinda bad and the space bar was very rattly but after some lube work the K4 pro retakes the perfect productivity keyboard.”
Keychron Q5
17 owner reviews
“I really like this keyboard. I have a couple of Q1s, and I like this layout better. The key caps on the silver gray model look terrific.”
Keychron K4 Pro vs Q5 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K4 Pro
Keychron Q5
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K4 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q5
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K4 Pro vs Q5: your questions
The Keychron K4 Pro supports wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect to up to three devices. The Keychron Q5 is wired only, so the K4 Pro is the clear choice if you need a cable-free setup.
Yes, both keyboards support open-source QMK firmware and the VIA software for key remapping and macro creation. This makes them equally customizable for advanced users.
The Q5 has a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum case and a double gasket mount design, giving it a more premium feel. The K4 Pro uses a plastic ABS case with a tray mount, which is lighter but less robust.
Yes, both the K4 Pro and Q5 have hot-swappable PCBs that accept 3-pin and 5-pin MX style switches. This allows you to change switches without soldering.
The K4 Pro weighs 1280g and is significantly lighter than the Q5 at 2310g. Additionally, the K4 Pro's wireless capability makes it much more portable for travel.
Yes, the Q5 comes with a programmable rotary encoder knob that can be customized via VIA for actions like volume, zoom, or brush size. The K4 Pro does not include a knob.
The K4 Pro comes with double-shot PBT keycaps which are more durable and oil-resistant. The Q5 uses ABS shine-through keycaps that may wear faster but allow better RGB backlight visibility.
Yes, both keyboards offer multiple ISO layout options including UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish. This makes them suitable for international users.
The K4 Pro offers three adjustable typing angles (3°, 7°, and 10°) via flip-out feet. The Q5 has a fixed 5.2° typing angle with small 2.4mm feet, offering less ergonomic adjustment.
The Q5 is generally preferred for office use because of its stable aluminum build, double gasket design for quieter typing, and a programmable knob for quick shortcuts. The K4 Pro's wireless can be useful for shared desks.
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